Letter To The Editor

Dear Editor,
A.G. Block is right on target in calling out Sen. Devore for his callous disregard for California’s most vulnerable citizens. However, Mr. Block’s statement about homecare workers who care for Alzheimer’s patients: “Given their willingness to do noble work for little pay, they can find employment elsewhere,” misses the point that many of these low-paid providers are actually relatives taking care of low-income family members. It wouldn’t be easy for them to just pick up and move to other states.

Gov. Schwarzenegger’s proposal to significantly cut the IHSS homecare program- which Sen. Devore undoubtedly supports- makes no economic sense. It costs the state about $10,000 a year to care for an individual at home under IHSS. If that person is denied home care, it is likely that he or she will have to go to a nursing home or other institution. Cost to taxpayers: $60,000 or more. And the governor wants to kick nearly 400,000 people out of the IHSS program. Do the math!

Or maybe Sen. Devore would just bus Alzheimer’s patients and others needing care to the border and dump them in Nevada or Arizona!